Abstract: A group of pressurized gas cylinders are integrated into a unit to prevent relative motion between them, especially during transport, by a system of banding which can be quickly applied when needed and quickly cut away when separation of the cylinders is required. In preferred practice, six cylinders are integrated by arranging the cylinders in an array of paired rows. A central pair of the cylinders is banded tightly together, whereafter end pairs of the cylinders are integrated into the whole by a tight peripheral band surrounding the entire array. In preferred practice, the array of cylinders is integrated within the confines of a pallet which has upstanding posts positioned at the ends of the cylinder array. The posts are located so as to deflect portions of the peripheral band inwardly to increase its degree of wrap around the end pairs of cylinders.

Abstract: A delivery system for pressurized gas utilizes a flat bed vehicle provided with a fore-and-aft-extending central divider which defines rows of pallet sites on each side thereof. Pallets carried at the sites each protectively enclose a plurality of pressurized gas cylinders and have an overhead gas delivery manifold which is connected to the cylinders. The pallets are retained on the bed of the vehicle by pallet-engaging projections carried on the central divider, and by blocking means arranged along the margins of the vehicle. A piping system extends along the central divider and is connected to a control panel. Bridging conduits connect the piping system with each of the pallet manifolds. Each of the bridging conduits is constructed such that, when its connection with a pallet manifold is released, the bridging conduit automatically retracts to an out-of-the-way position, thereby clearing the path for pallet loading or unloading.

Abstract: A pallet for handling and transporting a plurality of pressurized gas cylinders includes a floor structure on which the cylinders stand and side walls to retain the cylinders in place on the floor structure. For certain gas delivery applications it is desired to gang the cylinders by connecting them to a common manifold which is protectively supported on the pallet. To this end, a pair of upright center posts are provided at opposite sides of the pallet. The posts extend above the tops of the cylinders. A cross bar interconnects the upper ends of the posts and provides a structure for protectively supporting a manifold. An elongate manifold depends from and is supported by the cross bar. The manifold has ports which are connected by flexible high pressure hoses to each of the cylinders. The cross bar preferably takes the form of a truss structure which additionally cooperates with the center posts to provide a lifting frame that can be engaged by a crane for handling the pallet.

Abstract: A pallet for receiving, retaining and facilitating the transportation of pressurized gas cylinders includes three fixed, upstanding fence-like side walls and a pair of upper and lower gate members defining a fourth, openable side wall. The fixed upstanding side walls extend around three sides of the perimeter of a generally rectangular floor structure. Posts are provided at the four corners of the floor structure and extend upwardly above the top surface of the floor structure. The upper gate member is nonreleasably but movably connected to a first one of the posts and is releasably connected to a second one of the posts. The upper gate member is movable between a retaining position extending between the first and second posts, and a loading position nested within the first of the posts.